New Pet Owners get “Fur-ternity Leave”

AN American company is giving staff the chance to work from home in order to care for their new pets. The policy dubbed “fur-ternity leave” allows employees to work from home for a week to get to know their new furry friends.

The Nina Hale digital marketing company based in Minnesota has introduced the policy. Senior account director at the firm Connor McCarthy dreamed up the idea after getting a Goldendoodle named Bentley.

McCarthy said: “I wanted to make sure I was there for the pooch as he settled into his new home. I reached out to my direct supervisor … and the lead in our team, and just mentioned that I was getting a puppy. So I just discussed if there was any way that we could have adjustments to my schedule … to allow me to at least be with the puppy while still working.”

He added that it was crucial to spend some time with the pup to get Bentley accustomed to his new home.

Company executive vice president Allison McMenimen said the policy is a great way to give back to their employees.

She said: “We realized that we had received these requests a couple of times, and we thought, for so many of our hardworking, dedicated employees, there’s an opportunity for us to reciprocate their dedication and give them additional flexibility when they’re making a major life change. And in this case, instead of a human baby, it’s a fur baby.”